West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1887-11-24
MEETING IN THE RAIN.
A THANKSGIVING RoMANcE.


young lady was walking rapidly along
The country road leading out of the little
village OF N. IL was an isolated
region, and she had met no one. except
now and then tirel laborer returning
from his short autumn days work, who
gazed at her with some surprise. as he
made her an uncouth salutation.
For this young lady, Miss Violet Dem
mis- by name, was very evidently not of
this locality, as one saw at glance.
From the top of her little close walking
hat to the ii , of her dainty boot, she was
as elegant and stylish as nature and art
could make her. Her presence here Just
now was due 10 the fact that she had
fingered late at country boarding-
house, whore she had accompanied an
Invalid aunt, after the gay season of the
watering places was over. This was the
last evening of her stay at N, and
she was now returning from the daily
constitutional which she made a great
point of. She was walking rapidly, for
there was an imminent threatening OF
rain--already few stray drops had
fallen. Rejecting that she had neither
waterproof nor umbrella, she began to
feel very apprehcnsive, and not without
reason, for in few minutes more she
found herself in the midst of a steady.
settled downpour, which soon drenched
her. She couldn't help laughing at the
idea of her absurd appearance, and was
plodding bravely on, when she suddenly
become aware of buggy approaching
her.
1t contained one person only-a young
gentleman, who had the air of a man of
the world, and was dressed in the rough
tcxtured, well fitting equipments suited
to ahunting expedition.
The rain was coming down in torrents
as he approached Miss Dennis, and he
gave her very bewildercd gaze, and
lifted his hat automatically as he passed
The next instant an expression of won
der, doubt and surprise came into his
face, and he abruptly turned his horse
and came up to her side, springing from
the buggy and addressing her with much
earnestness.
pray let me dive you to your desti-
nation" he said, barring his head to the
rain and looking ut her scrutinizinoly.
THANK yoI very much, but / don't
mind the rain, said Miss Dennis. 'Re4
sides, am half way there, and am al
ready wet"
right, he said, with manner that was
extremely deferential, despite its hurry.
'It is really the only thing to do.n
Almost before she knew what she was
doing, Violet found herself walking
coward the buggy, and the next instant
the young man had taken from it a mans
rubber coat, and was holding it out for
her to put on. At this Miss Dennis drew
hack nnntx.haf In,,.sl,N:l..
often callel naughty by her friends, and
sometimes laughed at by them because OF
it.
"Oblige me ny putting this on at
once, the young man said in voice
that had such an imperious ring that
Violet was actually surprised into com
pilance. An instant more a firm hand
under her elbow had assisted her to her
seat, and the young man had taken seat
beside her. and carefully drawn the rub.
Der blanket around her.
where to2" he sal I, turning and
facing her, ana as he did 60, broke into
abroad smile. There was nothing in the
smile but pure amusement, but, none the
less, she resented il.
10 Mrs. Harper's boarding house, at
this end Of the village, If you know, " she
answered distantly.
IL do not know, regret to say. But
you will direct me, p'easc."
Miss Dennis merely bowed in reply.
II do not know this country at al. y
the gentleman went on, "and you, sup
pose, are almost as much a stranger
TO it,"
This was uncndurablcl What rirhl
had he to be trying to find out things
about herr She avoided looking towards
the handsome, brown-bearded face SO
near to her, aud answered, in a chilling
tone:
.'on the contrary, 1 know it very
we'll"
"Thcn you live in this neighborhoodr p
he asked, in a surprised tone.
IL beg your pardon, said Violet, Sc
verely, not that she did not understand
him, but that she wished TO intimidate
him so that he would not repeat the
question:.
'i asked If you lived in this neiobbor.
hood, her companion sa d, quite una.
Dashed, and with twinkle I'm his eve.
that would probably have angered hel
further still If she had deigned to NEE
bis gaze.
mo, do not live in this neighbor
hood, answered the girl, icily.
Il am sure the neighborhood is vastly
the loser thereby"
Violet threw back her head with a mo
ton OF naughty indignation, whereat tn,
stranger broke into little merry laugh
At last the drive came to al end. anC
1t was with infinite satisfaction that sb,
pointed out Mrs. IIarper's house.
81 am much Obliged to you," sh,
forced herself to say, Though / reQret
exceedingly having trespassed on YOU
Kindness y
Don't mention it, beg of you" III,
young man answered, airily. "1 con
slider myself infinitely the favored PARTY
assure you. ! am indebted to you fol
o charming drive, which has had n,
drawback, except It's shortness.p
Well, surelyi This pas beyond nj
precedentl How couLi a man Iool
90 essentially gentleman and be 40 IN
bred and obnoxiousl Violet was in ,
rage. When the buggy stopped befor
Mrs. Barpcr's gate, the young man ken
his seat while he said:
81 hope / may be permitted TO lear
the name Of my charming driving com
panion, that may know by what title
am 90 cherish her in my memory. Ii
return let me offer my card. "
He bad taken out his pocketbook, ans
now extendVd a small bit Of pasteboarc